#thank you for being such a wonderful person and for always sharing warmth and loveliness with us on here.

[ikjun]

HWANG IN-YEOP as NA IL-DEUNG THE SOUND OF MAGIC / 안나라수마나라 (2022)

happy birthday to my dearly beloved @choidoil! ♡

[travellingarmy]

║Zhongli║Where Glaze Lilies Bloom 2

Continuation requested from Wattpad (different user)

Female reader as previous request.

Word count: 1.2k

---

"So, you're a consultant from the Wangshen Funeral Parlour?" you ask, taking the cup of tea and bringing it close your lips before taking a sip, eyes glued on the man before you.

A relationship was quickly built between you two after many encounters since meeting in the field of glaze lilies. And now, there you two sat, in some restaurant, enjoying tea as the sun's warmth bathe your skin.

"Yes, what about you, my dear?" Zhongli asks. You put down the cup and scratched your cheek, averting your gaze from the man. "Ah.. Well.. It's nothing worth of noting.." you mumbled. "I'm just a humble assistant for the Tianquan."

"Oh? Then you should be more proud of that," Zhongli said. "O-oh, I am, trust me! I love Lady Ningguang with all my heart. She is a wonderful person," you waved your arms in front as you praised the woman.

You sigh and dropped your arms onto your lap, a small smile tugging your lips at the thought of the Tianquan. "Actually, the Lady herself came to me and told be that I should work for her. I accepted because I didn't have work. But now, I don't think I'm cut out to be her assistant."

Zhongli huffs a small smile of his own. "Tell me, how long have you been working as an assistant?" he asks, bringing his cup close to his lips. You pondered at the question. "I guess almost a year now."

"The Tianquan has a keen eye when it comes to scouting and there is no doubt that she saw something in you " he states, placing the cup down before continuing. "If you praise the Tianquan as much as you do right now, then you must believe in her just the same."

"Ah.. You're right about that." The corner of your lips tugs itself more, showing a brighter smile. "Thank you, Mr. Zhongli."

"Please, just call me Zhongli. There is no need for formalities now that we are this close," he points.

"A, ah, okay then, Zhongli." His eyes crinkle, reflecting a glimmer of a smile matching his lips.

It will be a long while since he will have your heart, but he's willing to wait. Good things comes to those who are patient enough, as mortals would tend to say.

"My dear, would you care to join me for a stroll outside the city?" he asks. "Huh? Now? This is quite sudden," you said, blinking your eyes a couple of times at the proposal.

"I'd like to selfishly ask of you to sing a song for the glaze lilies as well," he avows. He wishes that he could hear more of you because he missed your voice dearly so it was a good thing that you were still you from years ago-- very talkative and bright.

"Oh, okay.. Yeah! I guess I can sing for the flowers and you as well." Smiling, Zhongli stood up and offers a hand to hold which you happily accept.

You still don't know what makes you so drawn to the male, but you liked the feeling that flutters in your chest. At every thing he says and do, you were captivated so when he offered his hand, your cheeks warmed and felt tingly.

Zhongli shared interesting things along the way, all getting your limitless curiosity. "You really know a lot of things. Are you sure you're just a consultant? Not a scholar or a noble?" you ask in a playful manner. He laughs. "I assure you, I am nothing more than a consultant."

You giggled, covering your mouth with a fisted hand. "Oh, we're here!" you exclaim, looking ahead to a field of glaze lilies. Their petals were closed shut, but one can easily tell that it multiplied. The reason for that? You.

When you walked through the field on a task, you noticed a small group of glaze lilies. Despite it being too little at the time, you found it beautiful so you came there whenever you can. You later knew that singing would help it open its petals when you hummed your special tune.

You sat at the same spot you usually did and Zhongli followed, sitting down beside you. "You know, these flowers remind me of you, Zhongli," you state, happily picking one with its petals open.

"How so?" he asks, quite amused at the statement. Looking at the flower in your hands, your eyes smiled to a distant memory you no longer hold. A memory when you were an immortal. You didn't know that, but Zhongli did.

"Well, it's beautiful just like you." You look at him, the corner of your eyes wrinkling as you smiled.

You outstretched your hand with the flower, urging him to take it. "And I think it goes wonderful with you," you said once he took it.

He smiles, looking at the given glaze lily. Then, looking to meet your eyes, he kindly spoke. "I think they suit you better, my dear," he said, pushing your hair out of the way to place the flower behind you ear, getting close and brushing his hands on your skin as he does so.

Your face flushes a deep red at the sudden closeness and touch. When Zhongli moved away, a chuckle reverberates in his throat upon seeing your flustered face.

"A, ah.. I.. Thank you," were the only words you could stammer in your state. Zhongli gave a close-eyed smile as response, deciding that you will be more flustered if he spoke any further.

"My dear, would you care to sing a little song for me?" he asks, changing the topic. "It's a song one has not have heard of." Luckily, this worked and your face returned to its normal colour. "Hm? You sing too, Zhongli?" you ask excitedly, eyes sparkling with stars.

"I do, but I am not as talented as you are," he answers. "Then, I would love for you to teach me if it means I could hear you sing," you said.

Zhongli nods and began to teach you the song as he sings. His voice was deep and really complimented the tune. It made you at ease, closing your eyes as it lulled you to drowsiness and washing away any worries you might have had.

Once he finished, you praised him in earnest. "Why don't you give it a try, my dear?" he asks. You nod, wanting to sing such a lovely song.

As you began to sing, Zhongli noted in his mind that your voice was truly more lovelier than his. The song was one he made for you in his days where the sadness was much harder to bear. It was a song telling you how much he loved you, but also a song about the loneliness he had the bear. You didn't know, only focusing on how it sounded.

He wishes that he will get to tell you the truth someday, but he knew that that day will never come. After all, a mortal with no recollection of her past won't understand.

No matter, he thought to himself, you will always come back to him, no matter which life you are on. After all, you are his phoenix while he is your dragon and as the knowledge goes in Liyue, the phoenix and dragon represents woman and man, yin and yang.

In the tales of old, when the phoenix returned to ashes once more, the dragon would wait for his phoenix to come back. And this happened like a cycle.

---

[tylermagnusenvest]

“So... Tell me about this boy.”

It was Saturday morning. Saturday the 27th December 2014. Tyler had come down not ten minutes ago, hair still damp from his morning shower, navy jumper hanging a little big on his frame- actually, maybe it wasn’t even his jumper, it was hard to tell sometimes- having just settled at the table with a steaming mug of tea when his mother had leaned over the kitchen island and hit him with a question that had him nearly knocking over his mug.

“What boy? There’s no boy.”

His mother raised a brow and, as if right on cue, a voice came from half way down the stairs, “Oh, there most definitely is!”

Loxley appeared in the kitchen a moment later, wearing an identical navy jumper that looked a little too tight on his broader frame- a fact that had Tyler stifling a laugh despite the fact that his friend had swept in to stick his nose in where it didn’t belong. The younger boy greeted Ardelle with a warm smile, she smiled back and without saying anything aloud she went about preparing him a coffee, he fetched the milk from the fridge for her and then they both settled to lean over the island. Loxley took a long sip from his coffee, it was steaming hot but he didn’t seem to notice, and when he put the mug down he had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face, which just always spelt trouble.

“His name is Jeremy Lockhart, something of a catch in the castle, Captain of his Quidditch Team and everything.”

“Really?” Ardelle’s mouth hung open in the biggest surprised smile. Not good.

“There is no boy.” Tyler insisted quickly, “Jeremy Lockhart isn’t- we haven’t- we’ve barely spoken to each other.”

“That so?”

“Yes, nothing to make a fuss over.”

“That’s funny,” Loxley said it in a way that made Tyler sure it definitely wasn’t, and used a tone far too casual to actually be considered such, when he added, “He’s been asking about you.”

“What?”

He spoke at the exact same time as his mother, hers a gleeful exclamation and his a disbelieving whisper. Tyler didn’t really understand why, Loxley clearly had to be joking, this whole thing was completely ridiculous. For as long as Tyler had even known about Jeremy Lockhart it was clear they had absolutely nothing in common, they shared a handful of classes perhaps but it wasn’t even as though they spoke then, they didn’t even sit near each other- or at least they hadn’t, this last month or so one might say there had been times the Hufflepuff had slid into the seat beside him in class... but it was nothing, they still barely spoke.

“Practically all the time, keeps going on about him, asked me all this stuff during the last week about our plans and stuff over the holidays. I told him he should just ask you but apparently he tried and he wasn’t entirely sure you were interested- something about you not talking to him much in class?- but I don’t really see why you wouldn’t be considering he’s one of the best people I know. Anyway, I just told him to hang in there, said I’d talk to you about it but we were free most of the holidays regardless.”

At some point Tyler had lifted his mug and just held it mid-air, completely dumbstruck by the unloading of information Loxley had just put him through- why hadn’t he mentioned any of this at school? What a complete idiot, if he’d said something sooner then... well, then he wasn’t entirely sure but Merlin, now he thought about it he had definitely done a good job of not talking to Jeremy whenever he saw with him. Tyler didn’t even mean to, it’s just he liked to concentrate in class and when boys like Jeremy Lockhart sat down next to you it was best not to look at them much or risk being completely distracted. Hypothetically. Tyler definitely hadn’t thought about it, or him for that matter, much. Was he blushing? He could feel his face was hot and knew too well to pretend it wasn’t, his mother never missed a trick and if she did then Loxley would definitely point it out anyway, he knew all of that but still he quickly brought his mug to his lips and tried to push away the fluttery feeling in his chest while he sipped at his tea.

“I’m going to change,” Tyler announced abruptly when his tea was finished, standing up from the table. “I need to go to Diagon today and pick up a few things.”

“Let’s all go!"

“I’ll have to pass,” Loxley chipped in. “I’ve got some Herbology stuff to work on, not the easiest this time of year, I’ll stay here and be on official plant and cat duty.”

“Alright well dad and I will still take you, sweetie, I need to pick some things up for New Years anyway.”

Tyler hesitated before sighing, “Fine.” At least he could escape this conversation.

“And while we’re there you can tell us more about this Jeremy Lockhart, I’m sure I’ve heard Lox mention him before anyway but I’m sure your dad will want to hear all about him, maybe we could even have him over?”

“No, thank you.”

Fair to say he literally ran up the stairs.

Diagon Alley was always busy after Christmas and he always had a funny feeling about being there with his parents. If they felt anything about it then they certainly didn’t show it, he spared a glance over his shoulder to check they were keeping up and they were walking arm in arm, his mother’s head resting against his father’s shoulder and a joyful laugh leaving her as he pointed out some odd, discounted decorations a shop over. The attack felt distant in times like this, and it was now, something from a long time ago but something that had always stayed with him regardless. It was just odd, he looked at them in moments like this as they weaved through the crowds, completely happy and radiating it, and in the back of his mind there was a whisper of remembrance to the brief time he thought he’d lost them. All of this could be just a dream, some very wonderful dream, sometimes he worried he’d open his eyes and find himself back in the alley with his parents broken on the floor in front of him, except this time no one came to help them, no one found him, he’d just watch them leave and- well, he didn’t know what would happen to him then, it wasn’t something they’d ever spoke of afterwards, all of them focused instead on the fact that they did still have each other.

He thought about it a lot. If he didn’t have them. Where he’d be, how different things would be, if he’d even have days like this where-

“Tyler?”

His head whipped around at the sound of his name and he came to a sudden stop, barely a few inches from walking straight into...

“Jeremy.”

“Hey, it’s good to see you, I wasn’t entirely sure I had the right person at first but I’m glad I do.”

“Oh, yes, well...” Tyler spared a glance back over his shoulder and immediately rolled his eyes at where his mother had dragged his father off to the side, just a few feet away, pretending to be looking over some hideous wand cases. His father looked completely puzzled as his mother whispered into his ear and then, completely lacking discretion, they both glanced in his direction curiously. He took in a deep breath and chose to ignore them, looking back to Jeremy instead when he added softly, “It’s good to see you too.”

“Yeah? Good.”

He smiled then and Merlin, any attempts to previously ignore the sheer magnitude of loveliness the Hufflepuff gave off just about fell apart. Jeremy was ridiculously handsome, sandy hair and eyes that were so bright and blue they shouldn’t have felt as warm as they did, he was a good height too and sparing glances on brief occasions might have given Tyler the impression that Jeremy Lockhart took care of himself- at least his shoulders definitely suggested as much- and all of that was completely wonderful yet didn’t even begin to compare with the spiral of fluttering that filled his chest when he smiled. It was just so much. When Jeremy Lockhart smiled his whole face lit up, all that warmth he carried around with him just sort of spilled out of every pore, he smiled and everything around him just seemed to sort of disappear. And it had. So many times. So many more than he wanted to admit. Jeremy Lockhart was the sort of boy who only had to smile at you once and you never forgot the way it made you feel, not after years of classes and clubs and almost conversations.And this wasn’t good because Tyler was sure he was staring- gazing, for Merlin’s sake- in the middle of the street like an idiot and losing himself completely in the nonsensical joy he felt when Jeremy even so much as looked at him. Which he was, actually, looking at him with this wonder Tyler wasn’t sure he’d had before- or at least not that he’d noticed. Which could only mean he knew he was staring? Merlin, things couldn’t get any worse. Somehow they did. Because Jeremy was looking at him, watching him intently and then his gaze wandered, dipped down his form in a way that made heat creep up Tyler’s neck... then completely explode onto his face when the boy’s gaze travelled back up towards his face and his tongue darted out to lick his lower lip.

Fuck.

“How was your Christmas?” Jeremy completely interrupted his train of though, or what he was trying to piece together of it, with a question so terribly normal he was pretty sure he was just a complete idiot who was reading into things far too much because Loxley had a big mouth.

“It was good, thank you, busy but I just spent it with family so it was nice. Did you have a good Christmas?”

“Yeah, the same really, I’ve only really seen my family since the holidays.”

It seemed unusual. Jeremy was so popular. Everyone just liked him, Tyler had always seen it, ever since first year when even then the boy gave off this bright, positive energy that people were just drawn to. He had a lot of friends too, people were always around Jeremy, even more than they came to him and Tyler was Head Boy.

“It’d be nice to get out and do something now Christmas is over though,” Jeremy started again, rubbing his hands together in the cold and casting a look about the street before his gaze fell on Tyler again and he suggested, “We could do something?”

“Oh... Oh, well, right now, I’m-”

He was panicking- why was he panicking? Tyler wasn’t the type to panic socially, he was quiet in nature and enjoyed a good book more than actively socialising, but he generally tried to be an approachable person and he held conversations well, no one could ever say that Tyler Envest wasn’t good with his words, yet somehow that was all just disappearing. He gestured a hand behind him blindly, some attempt to gesture at his parents as an excuse, though he wasn’t sure why he needed one other than the fact that Jeremy Lockhart- a boy who he might possibly have thought completely wonderful from a distance for years- was suggesting they spend time together and he didn’t know how to process that.

“Oh,” Jeremy had followed his gesture and must have got the general idea, his smile dropped so quickly that it actually surprised Tyler, a clearly disappointed look crossing the boy’s face. “What about tomorrow?”

Before Tyler could say anything a familiar voice answered for him, “He’s free tomorrow!”

He was going to kill her.

“Really? Great, alright,” That smile was back, fuck. “I can pick you up?”

“No! I mean, I’ll meet you somewhere, anywhere.” Tyler reached for his pocket, partly just because he could feel the heat in his face and wasn’t sure he could stand to look at Jeremy any longer. “I’ll give you my number, you can send me the details, or call me... or just text, whatever’s fine.”

“I actually have your number-” Tyler paused. Loxley. He was going to kill him too. “But I just didn’t want to use it, I guess, until you said I could. But that’s great, I’ll let you get back to your parents and I’ll call you later?”

“Ok.”

He watched Jeremy tuck his hands into his pockets and walk the first few steps backwards, a grin on his face even when he nearly walked into someone while trying to look a little longer, it was unbearably cute and Tyler had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing at the boy. When he disappeared into the crowd Tyler found himself looking longer than he should too, lingering there for just a heartbeat more than necessary, but when he whirled around he immediately furrowed his brows at his parents. His father gave him a completely innocent look as his mother held her hands up in surrender, still smiling though when she nudged her husband in his side with her elbow.

“I knew he’d be cute, didn’t I?”

Tyler was so nervous. He didn’t often get nervous about things, honestly, his parents had always done a good job of encouraging him to be confident and he’d taken school in his stride but the whole dating thing- if he even dared call this a date- was not something he was used to. He just didn’t see a need to date yet, he’d always focused more on his studies and had assumed that everything else would come after school, and though he might have liked people before it wasn’t something he acted on. Admiration from a distance was a lot simpler. But this wasn’t going to be from a distance, this was a complete removal of any distance, and Tyler didn’t want to be overthinking anything but he’d spent the better part of two hours that morning picking out an outfit, that was completely covered by his coat anyway, and nagging Loxley to put some small plaits in his hair, which though lovely and swept back from above his temples to pin together at the back and keep hair out of his face, were also just covered by a hat anyway. Stupid winter and all it’s layers. And more stupid Tyler, for thinking so much about something that was probably nothing anyway. Jeremy was probably just bored, just being polite, maybe he wouldn’t even show up and Tyler would feel like an idiot for getting his hopes up so much- and for being unable to sleep for hours last night after a ten minute phone call that was mostly made up of timing discussions.

“Tyler!”

He’d been looking at the floor, having arrived at least twenty minutes early and deciding shortly after that Jeremy wasn’t going to show and he’d have to find something to do for the next few hours or risk sending his mother on a rampage, it was cold too though and part of it had been wanting to bury the bottom half of his face down into his scarf. He didn’t notice Jeremy until he heard his name, startling him more than it should and sending a scattering of blush to his face when he looked up, praying the fact that it was so cold would be excuse enough for his rosy cheeks. Jeremy was wrapped up too but he still looked unbelievably handsome, crossing the road in a confident jog and stepping up onto the pavement in from of him with an easy smile on his face, he stepped right up into his space and did that thing again- that agonising thing- where for a brief moment his gaze wandered and his smile grew when their eyes met again.

“You look lovely, I’m glad you wrapped up, I almost forgot it still gets so cold down here. Have you eaten? We can grab something, if you want, though where we’re going there’ll be plenty of food and I was thinking we could just look around and pick things up as we go?”

“That sounds fine- good, I mean, I’m not that hungry so that’s good.”

If the ground wanted to open up and swallow him he’d probably be grateful. It didn’t though and as they started walking he was glad Jeremy seemed so much more at ease with all of this, they walked and Jeremy talked about... well, about everything and anything. He spoke about the things he’d done over the holidays so far, throwing in short stories about his family, and when he asked questions Tyler did his best to answer them without growing completely flustered. It felt so stupid, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t been around Jeremy before, they’d known each other from a distance for years but all of this just felt different. In class Tyler was confident, when talking about school work he had no worries, and he supposed there was something formal but easier to deal with about being at school, wearing a uniform, being able to focus on other things. This was just different because there were times, as they walked, where Jeremy just looked at him with this quiet curiosity that made Tyler’s head swim and heart pound, because Jeremy looked at him sometimes as though he didn’t see anything else, there was just him, and Tyler didn’t quite know what to do with that. He didn’t know what to do when they were walking or when they hopped on the tube, when despite his balance being excellent and him being perfectly confident in not wobbling over at every stop, Jeremy still stood barely a few inches from him and placed his hand on top of his on the rail. And he couldn’t stand the fact that because he was the tiniest bit taller it was incredibly difficult to drop his gaze and avoid catching Jeremy just looking at him.

They ended up at Hyde Park, that was always bustling but this time of year was thriving. Being as early as it was there were less people than he’d expect later but still, the markets and activities here at Christmas were a spectacle and Tyler found himself unconsciously smiling as they wandered through. Jeremy had an excitement that was rather contagious, he jogged up to stalls that caught his attention, mused over tiny decorations or looked on in awe at more intricate designs. He pointed out food stalls too, they tries steaming mugs of mulled wine and selected sticky, sweet pastries and cakes with tiny decorations on them from various stalls. They went to the Magical Ice Kingdom after they’d had their fill of various treats, Tyler had never been in before and as they went Jeremy explained the various themes they had. He wasn’t sure what the theme was this year but it was incredible regardless, there were huge sculptures carved from ice at every turn, butterflies and an array of other creatures that Tyler was in awe of. It was freezing too, he could’ve logically expected that but it still surprised him, a few turns in and he was shivering despite his best efforts not to. He was eager not to draw attention to it but apparently he completely failed, for the rest of the walk through Jeremy was stood right behind him, at times the boy’s hands would appear on his waist, encouraging him to stop so he could point out a particular structure, standing so close Tyler was sure if he relaxed back even a little he’d feel the boy flush against him. So of course he didn’t, even the idea of it had his face burning, which granted did help with the cold so perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing. They wandered around a little more after that and, even though Jeremy fell into step beside him, every now and against he’d place a hand on the small of Tyler’s back and guide him between the growing crowds, an action that never failed to make Tyler blush. At least ice skating he felt confident with, he’d been with his parents numerous times and was actually fairly good at it, so when they stopped at the huge rink he felt a little more at ease. For a short period, anyway, he took a few confident glides onto the ice only to spin around and find Jeremy looking a little wobbly- not what he’d expected from a Quidditch player who needed a lot of balance, he’d admit.

“Here,” Tyler skated back over, unable to help smiling as he offered his hands forward, Jeremy took them both without hesitation. “We’ll go slowly?”

“Sounds good.”

Tyler wasn’t sure why Jeremy would choose to ice skate if he wasn’t any good at it but maybe he didn’t mind too much, not when Jeremy was holding onto his hands and inching across the ice slowly but surely, even less when the boy wobbled and tensed his arms up, pulling them closer together. Somehow he wasn’t a nervous as before, when he had some kind of purpose he didn’t mind having Jeremy so close, didn’t mind the warmth of the boy’s hands in his, it was easier to pretend all of this wasn’t completely overwhelming when he had something to focus on beside the fact that Jeremy Lockhart was rubbing his thumbs over his knuckles and hanging onto his every word. Maybe he was a little too relaxed because one minute he was fine and the next he was stumbling, nearly knocking into someone who whizzed past behind him, but before his legs could give way Jeremy’s hands pulled free of his and the boy shot forward to grab hold of his waist and steady his balance, holding him up on his feet with ease. And Tyler clung to him on pure instinct, curling his fingers into the front of the boy’s coat, relieved at first when Jeremy pulled him right up against his chest and for a moment they just stayed there, holding each other tightly with heavy breaths ghosting between them- everything tender and warm and made all the more perfect when Jeremy sighed in relief and pressed their foreheads together.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m-” He paused, a realisation sinking in and he quickly pulled away to put a little space between them. “You can skate.”

“Ah, well...” Jeremy’s smile turned sheepish, he looked down for a second, but his hold on Tyler’s waist didn’t relax and despite his accusation Tyler still clung to Jeremy’s front. “Yes, I can, but I wasn’t trying to- well, I wasn’t meaning to lie. It’s just you seemed nervous all day and then I brought you here and you were so excited and so confident, it was so cute that I thought I’d let you show off a little? I am sorry though, it was really sweet that you tried to teach me, you’re good at explaining things, I can see why so many people want you as their tutor. Then again you being exceptionally cute could have something to do with that.”

“T-That’s-” Fuck, he was stuttering, fighting the blush that just kept rushing back.

“I really am sorry, it was just nice seeing you so relaxed.”

Ah, crap. Whatever upset he might of felt over Jeremy lying at all, even over something stupid, had pretty much dissolved. Tyler would like to say the flattery played no part but it did just a little, maybe because though Jeremy was definitely trying to get back in his good books there was nothing teasing about his tone, when he said things like that Tyler could almost think he actually meant it.

“It’s alright,” He said after a moment, pulling his lower lip between his teeth as he glanced down at the little space between them, his hands still on Jeremy’s chest, and awkwardly pushed a little more space between them. “It doesn’t matter so much.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Good.”

That smile was back and Tyler couldn’t help but smile a little himself, even when Jeremy released his hold on his waist and instead offered him a hand to hold, which he took in a gentle hold. They stayed on the ice a while longer, until the sky grew a tad darker and their stomachs were rumbling, they headed back to collect their shoes and when they left the park to get something proper to eat he found their hands linked together again.

They got Italian food- his favourite though he hadn’t told Jeremy so, maybe he’d asked Loxley about it, he didn’t mind either way- and shared slices of garlic bread and pizza, tasting bites of each other’s food and even though it made him flustered, which in turn made Jeremy laugh, he couldn’t help but get caught up in the whole day. He wasn’t sure he’d ever smiled so much for so long, not because he wasn’t happy, but because no one had ever made him laugh like that and no one had ever looked so pleased for managing to do so. They debated over the cheque, he was surprised how stubborn the Hufflepuff was about it but Tyler could definitely be worse, in the end they decided to split it evenly. It was dark by then, he wasn’t sure he’d ever spent so much time with anyone beside Loxley, yet when Jeremy suggested they grab something warm to drink he agreed with a smile, not quite ready to leave him yet and heart a flutter when his agreement was met with a gentle squeeze on his fingers. They stopped off at a small cafe that was warm and cosy inside, even at the restaurant he hadn’t taken off his scarf and cardigan but the moment they found a table and Jeremy stood up to order shrugged off the layers until only his sweatshirt remained. He took off his hat too and was sure his hair was a mess, he spared a glance at the counter when he sat back in his seat and immediately wanted to sink down to the floor when he caught Jeremy watching, the smile that pulled at the corner’s of the boy’s mouth making his knees weak- thank Merlin he was sat down already.

“I never notice how long your hair is before,” Jeremy commented when he sat back down, a hot chocolate with a frothy top placed in front of him and a tea pushed over towards Tyler. “Plaits suit you.”

“Loxley did them, I’ve never been good at doing them myself so I don’t bother unless he has the time.”

“Yeah, he mentioned that actually. It’s funny, we’ve always been good friends and I realised the two of you were always close but I didn’t realise until a few years ago that you live together? At home, as well as at school, I mean.”

“Ever since second year,” Tyler nodded, lifting his tea to take a small tip. “My parents always wanted more children, I think, but fostering suited us all better. They considered it before and when I mentioned Loxley it just seemed like a good idea- it was a good idea.”

“He’s practically your brother then?”

“Erm,” Tyler considered the question as Jeremy took a long sip from his mug. “No? Not really, it’s complicated.”

Jeremy didn’t say anything and Tyler shifted uncomfortably in his seat, unsure how else to answer something like that. Jeremy seemed to consider his answer with his mug pressed to his lips, when he set it back down on the table there was a stretch of cream over his top lip, without thinking Tyler sat forward and reached across the table to swipe it away with his thumb. Jeremy licked it before he could, which was horrifically embarrassing, he made a quick more to retract his hand but Jeremy reached up and caught it instead, stretched his fingers out between Tyler’s and brought their joined hands down to rest on the table.

“You and Loxley aren’t... together, right?” His tone was softer, more serious than he’d ever heard it.

“No,” Tyler replied quickly. “It’s not like that, it’s just- it’s just he’s not my brother either. I don’t know how to explain it, he was becoming my friend before my parents started fostering him, and perhaps had we been younger and grown up together it’d be different but it just doesn’t feel that way. We’ve become a lot closer and I care about him- I love him, really- but it’s not like that, it’s just different. He’s my best friend, he knows me better than anyone, I’m grateful he’s such a huge part of my life but I’m not in love with him.”

“Oh.”

“That- It probably doesn’t make sense, sorry.”

He tried to pull his hand away but Jeremy squeezed his fingers and shook his head.

“No, it does. I get it, he’s important to you, but I’m glad you’re not together.”

He wasn’t sure what to say to that, the way Jeremy said it made his skin hot. Jeremy Lockhart’s glad I don’t have a boyfriend. If that wasn’t a thought that was going to keep him awake at night then he didn’t know what was. And it still all felt so ridiculous to him because he didn’t understand where any of this had come from, why all of a sudden this incredible, gorgeous boy seemed to be so curious about him. They were such different people, before this they’d barely spoken outside of class. Tyler was studious and fairly quiet, he had small groups of good friends he’d made through being together in the library, or in clubs, or even as a prefect but other than being Head Boy he was quite sure most people didn’t know much about him. Everyone knew Jeremy Lockhart. Jeremy was Captain of Hufflepuff’s Quidditch team, Jeremy was funny and kind, he was the life of all the parties and if that wasn’t enough he was just so handsome. He’d literally seen people fawn over Jeremy, seen people go to Quidditch games just to watch him, and despite the entirely different worlds they came from even Tyler, at times, had found himself sparing glances at him from a distance. So many people would be happy to date Jeremy, a lot of people had been happy dating Jeremy, even people he broke up with didn’t have bad words to say about him and somehow he was here with him.

“Can I walk you home?”

“Oh, well, I’m going to apparate?”

“Then... Can I walk you to Diagon Alley, where you can apparate us both to yours, so I can be sure you got home safe?”

He was doing that smile again and Tyler, completely weak against it by this point, just found himself nodding.

Fuck it.

He wasn’t sure how late it was when they appeared at his front gate, only a short path’s walk from his house, Jeremy’s hand in his. It was dark but there were lights on in the house, he had no doubt Loxley would be up and it wouldn’t surprise him if his parents were up too, if only so they could bombard him with questions about his day- or his mother would bombard, his father would listen intently with quite encouragement.

“This is me,” His breath ghosted as he spoke.

“It’s nice.”

“Thank you.”

Tyler glanced towards the house, very aware of Jeremy’s hand in his and the odd knot in his stomach at the thought of letting go. Which was so silly, it was all so ridiculous, he probably wouldn’t see the boy for the rest of the holidays now and by the time they got back to Hogwarts all of this would be a distant memory anyway. He turned back to Jeremy and gave a small smile, tried not to let it show that he was completely disappointed that this was over, and reached behind himself to take hold of the gate.

“Today has been... today was wonderful, thank you for taking the time to see me.”

“You don’t need to thank me, Tyler.”

“Alright but I’m grateful anyway, I had a lot of fun.” There was a moment of silence, during which Tyler hesitantly pulled his hand free from Jeremy’s hold. “I hope you have a good rest of the holidays, Jeremy.”

He turned to go, about ready to run up to his room, bury his face in his pillow and scream. This all felt so very stupid, he barely knew this boy and still the idea of not seeing him until school made his chest ache, and the idea of seeing him then but not being able to be near him, to talk to him like he did today, to hold his hand, made him want to cry. All very stupid, completely ridiculous, which Tyler was neither of. So it was best he just hurry up and forget about all of this anyway but he’d barely took a step before he was spun back around and Jeremy’s hands were on his hips, keeping him in place.

“Wait, I just- I need to say some things and I’m not really sure where to start but I need to say them now or I’ll be thinking about it for the rest of my life. Can I?”

Tyler just nodded.

“I just feel so, I don’t know, so stupid? Because you’ve just always been there, in classes and in the castle, for the last seven years you’ve been so close and I just never really knew- it’s just that Loxley talks about you all the time, and because he thinks so highly of you I think I always knew you had to be a decent person, but he would say things about you and it just didn’t fit with the image of you I had. And I didn’t know you but that was alright, just hearing about you through Loxley was alright, I didn’t even think much about it until Halloween-”

Oh. He supposed it wasn’t entirely true that he had never spoke to Jeremy properly. Halloween felt like a long time ago, Tyler had thought about it since but it hadn’t seemed so important, at least it hadn’t seemed important to Jeremy. It was nothing really, Hogwarts always through a party and when that one was over it wasn’t unusual for the older students to continue it elsewhere, it had been in Slytherin this year so Tyler had gone for a short while but in the end he’d headed back to his dorm early. When Jeremy showed up for the dorm he wasn’t even looking for him, apparently Loxley had lost a bet and was meant to wear some ridiculous costume but Jeremy hadn’t seen him in it yet, and Tyler had informed him simply enough that his friend wasn’t there. He hadn’t changed out of his costume yet, fluffy white ears still atop his head and tail swaying behind him, Jeremy was part way through asking about it when Alice came out from under his bed and the boy quickly caught on that, rather embarrassingly, he’d dressed as his own cat for Halloween. Tyler had been horrified really, quite sure his entire face went red when Jeremy laughed, laughed so much he nearly stumbled over actually. It really was nothing, Tyler had just brought him in, let him sit down and given him a glass of water. Jeremy had asked him about the open book on his bed and he’d briefly explained something about it, perhaps why he liked it so much, and then Jeremy left. And maybe Tyler had asked Loxley to check on the boy the next day and to pass on some hangover potions if he needed them.

Even thinking about it now made him flustered.

“And then things were just different, I don’t know how to explain it, it’s like everything Loxley said about you that I didn’t understand was suddenly ridiculously obvious. I saw you everywhere all of a sudden, in class or in the corridor, I’d notice you in the Great Hall and get so caught up watching you I’d forget to eat. You had always just been there and you weren’t doing anything differently but it just became more and more obvious that you do so much, you work so hard and look after everyone else, you’re always studying and are probably miles ahead of half the class but every time a professor asks a question you let other people answer first. You read all the time though, all kinds of things, I’d catch you reading poetry or fiction and when you concentrate on something you really love there’s this hint of awe in your eyes I’d never really noticed before. You rarely laugh but you smile to yourself when people say things you like, you smirk when Loxley complains and play with your hair when you’re tired.”

Christ. He looked to the floor, biting his bottom lip as his skin prickled with heat.

“And you chew your lips when you’re nervous, which is hardly ever, I’ve seen you do that more today than ever before. You take exams in your stride but you hate to fly, you’ve never come to a Quidditch game. You look down when you blush, and sometimes when people say something good about you it’s like you don’t believe it.”

“Jeremy-”

“But you should. I wasn’t looking for it before but, Tyler, you’re completely, terrifyingly wonderful and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for months. Now I’ve spent today with you I don’t think I’m going to be able to stop thinking about you ever, I’d be an idiot if I did.” He paused, his breathing was heavy, ghosting between them and Tyler was doing his best not to just melt right there. Jeremy stepped closer, pressing their foreheads together and Tyler could feel his heart pounding. “I don’t want to wait until we go back to school, I don’t want to stop seeing you. Tyler, I like you, in fact I might be just the tiniest bit crazy about you.”

Fuck.

That was a lot to process, more than he’d ever expected, the mere idea that Jeremy noticed him so much made his thoughts a mess. He didn’t know what to say but maybe that was good because Jeremy cupped a hand to his cheek, tilted his head with his thumb and, just when he was sure he couldn’t be more enamoured with the boy, he kissed him. So very softly. Jeremy’s lips were wonderfully warm- not to mention his fingers, that slipped back through his hair and came to rest at the nape of his neck- against the winter air. Maybe it was only a second or two but it was enough to make Tyler’s skin burn, enough that his eyes closed and when the boy pulled away even a little the softest, disappointed sigh left him. He was so sure he was going to pull away, going to let that be the end of it, which was just not good at all. He couldn’t help it, Jeremy’s nose brushed against his and when he felt the boy’s weight shift even just a little Tyler pressed forward, chasing his mouth eagerly. He could feel Jeremy smiling against his lips, and the boy’s hand sliding down his back and then pulling him forward, and all of it was so much he had no choice but to cling to him, to grip a hand at the boy’s chest and slip the other arm up around his shoulder. He was so aware of Jeremy’s hands pulling him in that he was surprised by the heat of his mouth, the taste of his tongue, he gasped and stumbled a step forward but Jeremy pressed him back. Right back until the fence was digging into his back, it clattered when he fell against it but he didn’t care, how could he care when Jeremy was pressing forward against him? And Merlin the way Jeremy kissed. He kissed hungrily, desperately, biting at his bottom lip and tasting his mouth. When Tyler got even half a second to breathe he was moaning, pulling him back in, so eager for Jeremy’s mouth on his and the boy’s hands pulling him impossibly closer. He didn’t even know how he did it but at some point Jeremy’s hands found their way inside his coat, up under his layers until his fingers were freezing against his skin, splayed out on the small of his back and pressing them together. Tyler’s fingers were up in the boy’s hair, his chest rising and falling rapidly, he was quite sure he’d completely melt if they kept this up and when Jeremy took a moment to groan his name, Tyler just about died.

“Jeremy-” He breathed, practically mewled, lips brushing together even when they were completely out of breath. “Fuck.”

“On the first date? Don’t tease me, Tyler.”

It was impossible to blush more but he still felt the heat rise in his face, even if he smiled against the boy’s mouth regardless.

“I should... this is n-not the time for this, I should be inside.”

“I don’t know, now seems pretty perfect.”

He laughed softly but shook his head, “Jeremy, I can’t.”

“I know, unfortunately. I just...” He kissed him again, unbearably briefly. “Can I call you?” Tyler could barely think, when he nodded it was barely noticeable but Jeremy still smiled and added in a deliciously soft tone. “Tonight?”

He nodded again, more eagerly this time.

It felt wrong to untangle from each other as they did, even now, outside his house where his parents were probably waiting up for him and about to grill him on his day with a boy whose mouth was still pressing brief kisses to his. He missed Jeremy's hands on him the moment they weren’t there, sighed unhappily and pressed himself close to the boy again when Jeremy took a small step back to give him space. He didn’t want space. He uncurled his fingers from Jeremy’s hair, ran his hands down the boy’s chest, found his lips again in another kiss, smiled when he pulled back and Jeremy let out a frustrated groan. He was sure his lips were swollen, they were warm and tingly against the cold air but Tyler didn’t care, Jeremy was looking at him with this achingly wonderful longing look.

“I’m glad I got to see you home safe,” Jeremy whispered, his tone playful. “I would’ve liked to see more of you but that can wait.”

“I’m not the type to rush into things,” Tyler countered, his voice softer, tinged with a seriousness that didn’t match Jeremy’s.

“I know.” The boy just nodded. “That’s alright.”

“Ok.”

Tyler wasn’t sure how to say goodbye after that, after all of it. He felt fluttery and giddy, it was completely stupid but he just didn’t really care, and even though they were barely touching now he still found Jeremy’s mouth for one last brief kiss. Then he had to physically tear himself away, turn around completely and unlock the fence, letting it fall closed behind him to create a physical barrier between them, quite sure otherwise he’d find himself falling back against the boy in a matter of moments anyway. He got half way down the path before he turned around to see Jeremy watching him, he twisted himself around to walk the rest of the way backwards, smiling to see Jeremy waited until he was right up on the doorstep before he mouthed ‘I’ll call you’ and then disappeared. Tyler gazed at the spot he stood for a few moments before sighing and turning to open the front door. He stepped into the hall and let the door close behind him, no sooner had he done so did he hear footsteps running along the hall upstairs. He leaned back against the door just as Loxley appeared on the stairs and his parents walked through from the kitchen, all of them looking at him expectantly. Loxley had that annoying grin on his face again.

“Well? Was I right or not?”

Tyler took in a deep breath, wanting to roll his eyes but instead finding he could only drop his head back against the door and sigh.

Fuck, he could really fall for this one.

Tyler groaned.

“There’s definitely a boy.”

[seriouslyhooked]

Souvenirs (A CS AU) Part 10/14

A Modern CS AU where Emma has grown up in Maine her whole life and runs a store with Ruby and MM. Killian Jones is the new guy in town, who just bought the local bar. Only Emma and Killian have met before and now she can’t help but wonder if their past has influenced his plans for the future. Includes tons of fluff and a happily ever after. Rated M.

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine

A/N: This week’s installment of ‘Souvenirs’ brings Mary Margaret and David’s wedding where Emma is the maid of honor and Killian is a groomsman. Emma tells Killian that for her wedding, she wants something less traditional. Killian promises she can have whatever she wants and there are, of course, stolen moments at the wedding. Hope you guys enjoy!

If you’d told Killian Jones a few months prior, that not only would he have managed to win Emma Swan over and convince her to give him another chance, but that he’d have made some great friends in the process, he’d have called you a liar. Yet here he was, standing up as one of the groomsman in David Nolan’s wedding, a man who had fast become one of his best mates.

Dave had opted for no best man, mostly because the expectation would have been for him to choose his brother, a bloke named James, who though identical to David physically, was easily one of the biggest heels that Killian had ever met. He was more than happy to learn that James lived in San Francisco and rarely returned to town, because this bloke was rude, arrogant and all together a huge ass.

“You know what would be a riot? If Mary Margaret changed her mind. If she does she can always go with the other brother.” James laughed to himself as he said the words.

“You know what would actually be good fun? If someone punched you in the bloody mouth,” Killian countered and instantly David went from angered with his brother to laughing in two seconds as he nodded at Killian in a silent thank you.

“The upside of this is that Mary Margaret has those hot friends. Ruby, and what’s the other one’s name? The blonde. The things I would do to her.”

“If we weren’t standing in a church for David and Mary Margaret I would lay your smarmy ass out here and now. As we are, however, bound by honor, count on you getting what’s coming later in the evening.” Killian’s words were a barely restrained growl, and though James smiled, Killian saw a flash of fear in the man’s eyes. Good, he should be afraid. Anyone who threatened to mess with his Emma would get what was coming to them, and Killian would be all to happy to sock James in the face.

Luckily, the music began playing and the organ sounded the ascent of the bridesmaids. First was Belle, who moved gracefully despite her clear discomfort at being watched by the church full of people. She kept her head down, and kept glancing between where she needed to get to and her feet below, willing herself not to trip. In the end she was successful.

Next was Ruby, who was so entirely a different creature it was striking. It wasn’t a walk but a strut down the aisle, with her attention entirely trained on Graham who was also selected for the groom’s side.

And then there was Emma, the picture of loveliness in the light purple dress that Mary Margaret had selected. Her hair was up, but loose, her big green eyes shining back at him, and every head in the church turned to watch her. All of the tension and anger that had been in Killian’s chest disappeared as she walked towards him, smiling and sure of herself. He had a vision of her gliding down the same aisle in a gown of white, to make the vows that their love would stay eternal. He nearly stepped towards her, suddenly consumed with a need to ask her for that forever right now, but he retained his bearings, and kept himself in check just barely.

As Emma took her spot beside where Mary Margaret would arrive, Killian remained transfixed, and he loved the soft flush that came over her cheeks as she met his gaze. Too soon he had to look away, for the bride was due all attentions on her special day, but as the ceremony went on, Killian couldn’t help his eyes flitting over to Emma, and she always caught him looking. He knew he likely had a ridiculous grin on his face, but no matter. He was simply impressed that he managed to stand there through the ceremony, and when it was over, he had the distinct pleasure of leading Emma Swan back down the aisle.

“You cut quite the figure in that dress, Swan.” She rolled her eyes, but he caught a flush of red sweep across her pale skin and knew she was affected even if she pretended otherwise.

“Save the compliments, and brace yourself. We’re about to be subjected to way too many photos right now.”

Killian looked ahead, and saw that Emma’s statement was true. There was not one, not two, but three separate photographers on call for this wedding, and he grimaced at the thought that one of the best parts of the day, holding Emma close on the dance floor, was to be put off for these cheesy shots.

“I doubt you’d be interested in a scene like this for a wedding, Swan.” Emma shook her head.

“No way. This is nice, but too traditional.”

Killian smiled and dipped his head lower to ask her what she meant but the photographers descended and he was forced to hold off on his inquiries until nearly two hours later when they finally arrived at the reception and had finished their meal. They were currently watching Mary Margaret and David share their first dance, and Killian had to admit that he was more than thrilled for his friend. David deserved true happiness and had found that in his love for Mary Margaret.

“They look really happy,” Emma said from beside Killian as she snuggled in closer. Killian had his arm around the back of her chair and their seats pressed closely together. He smiled at her pronouncement as it so closely mirrored his own thoughts.

“I think true love does that to a person.”

“I never thought it existed, you know,” Emma said. “I thought it was like one of Mary Margaret’s fairytales. A nice story, but a story nonetheless. But they’ve made me a believer.”

“Just them, love?” Emma shook her head.

“No not just them.”

Killian tightened his hold around her, enjoying the warmth of having her pressed to his side, content in this moment just to hold her even if he wanted so much more. Unfortunately, the yammering of one James Nolan at the table beside them became so grating, it detracted from the sight before them.

“You know, I’ve only met David’s brother once, but he is just as awful as I remember and I didn’t think that was possible,” Emma proclaimed and Killian bristled.

“Has James been bothering you too, love?” Emma shook her head.

“Not personally no, but he’s been hitting on poor Arielle for a solid ten minutes even though she’s told him five times that she’s engaged to Eric.”

Killian looked over to find that Emma was correct. Arielle had come to the wedding alone as Eric was sick at home, which was bad enough, the woman didn’t need James pressuring her with his smug attempt at charm. If he had any honor at all, it was Killian’s job to step in and make this easier on the unfortunate lass.

“Oi, James!” Killian called over to the next table. “She’s not interested.” Emma’s grip on Killian’s arm tightened as James look grew darker, but he left Arielle alone, stalking over to the bar once more, and the red head mouthed a sincere thank you to Killian.

“How did you do that?” Emma asked, actually wondrous about it.

“James and I had a little chat earlier,” Killian ground ou.

“So you threatened him?” Emma asked with amusement in her tone.

“I did indeed.” Emma leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips before pulling back.

“I love you.”

“As I love you. Now, Swan, would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Emma nodded happily and accepted Killian’s outstretched hand, joining Mary Margaret and David out on the dance floor. Holding her close, feeling her fit so perfectly in his arms pulled that same bit of longing from Killian that had been there during the wedding itself. He wanted this with Emma, or at least a version of this, so in hopes of procuring such a union sooner rather than later, Killian asked again.

“So before, you mentioned wanting a wedding that’s less traditional. What would you want, given the choice, Emma?” She gave him a small smile and thought about it.

“Well it would be outside for sure. I never pictured getting married in a church. Maybe in the fall, but before the chill comes back. It would be smaller than this. I don’t need the whole town there like Mary Margaret and David, just the people who I really care about.”

“I like the sound of that.”

“And the music would be all those old standards, like Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. No Macarena, definitely no chicken dance.” Emma gave a dramatic shutter at the thought.

“Heaven forbid,” Killian replied.

“What about you?” Emma asked and Killian shook his head.

“All that matters is the woman beside me, Emma. The rest are just the details.” Emma had a sly smile on her face as she continued.

“Any idea who the lucky lady would be?” He growled low and pulled her closer, whispering in her ear.

“You dare to toy with me, Emma, when you know full well there could be no one but you?” She laughed low.

“I just like to hear how crazy you are about me, and to be honest, that little grumble you make when you’re mad but turned on makes me hot.” Killian nearly groaned at her words, and fought the urge to drag her off the dance floor. But there was an expectation as part of the wedding party that they actually attend the party, or at least most of it.

“God, tonight cannot end fast enough,” Killian confessed as Emma ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck and spoke softly.

“Really? I’m kind of looking forward to one of the traditions.”

“Which one love?”

“The slutty wedding sex.” God yes, that sounded great, but waiting for it would be slow, agonizing torture.

………………………………

“I’ve never had a more perfect day, Emma.”

Mary Margaret’s words as the two of them grabbed her friend a glass of water touched Emma’s heart. All she wanted was for Mary Margaret to have the picture perfect wedding she’d always dreamed of. No one could deserve it more, and as the greatest champion of love through good times and bad, Mary Margaret should get the chance at the fairytale in it’s entirety.

“It did turn out pretty wonderfully.”

“Someday soon you’ll get married to Killian and you’ll know what I mean. There’s nothing like standing up in front of the world and making those vows. I still feel like my heart is about to beat out of my chest.” Mary Margaret’s hand came to cover her heart in a silent testimony as her eyes took on a dreamy look.

Emma, meanwhile, really hoped that her friend was right about a wedding with Killian. She felt ready for that next step, and certain that she and Killian were a forever kind of love. Now it was all about getting him to ask, or hell maybe she should be the one to do the asking. If she wanted something, she should go for it. Who was to say she had to wait for him if she knew they were both ready?

“Maybe those palpitations are from all the dancing. Who knew David had so many moves?” Mary Margaret blushed at Emma’s joke and then the man himself was there, defending his reputation from Emma in a mild-mannered way.

“Oh I most definitely have the moves, and I’m hear to claim my wife for another dance.” Emma stepped aside so he could do just that and smiled as her friend made her way to the dance floor once more. Where Mary Margaret had just been, Ruby came to fill the empty space.

“Don’t look now, but your boyfriend has been giving you sex eyes for the past five minutes.”

Ruby’s words had Emma blushing despite herself, and she did sneak a peak though she knew Ruby’s words would be true. Since mentioning that weddings meant stealing away a moment to make good on all the heat bouncing between them, Killian had been all the more intense, and Emma was slowly succumbing to how much she wanted him. Only, as a best friend and bridesmaid, she had to be discrete. Mary Margaret may actually die if she ever found out.

“Oh yeah?” Emma feigned ignorance.

“Don’t ‘oh yeah’ me. You’re talking to a wedding hook up queen, and you can be damn sure I’ll continue that tradition with my own hot boyfriend.” Ruby flipped her dark chestnut curls over her shoulder and waved at Graham, who stood with Killian and looked nearly as tense as Killian did. He waved his hand slowly and Emma heard Ruby giggle and mutter under her breath about how cute he was, all quiet and wanting her.

“So if you’re such an expert, when’s the best time to make your getaway?” At that moment, the chicken dance came on and Emma groaned out loud, but then remembered her conversation with Killian earlier. “Hold that thought.”

As Emma walked away, she heard Ruby tell her to ‘get it’ and she wove through the throngs of people to come up to Killian, flashing him a seductive smile.

“Hey babe, I was thinking of getting some air.”

Killian grinned at her proposal and her term of endearment and left his beer on the counter without so much as excusing himself. Then he put his hand on the small of Emma’s back and led her out of the function hall and into the hallway. Emma looked around and saw that no one was paying attention before pulling Killian further down in the club where the reception was being held.

Emma had been here a few times during the planning stages for this little shindig and knew for a fact that there was a small library just down the hallway. Truth be told, she had thought about the chance of a hookup once or twice over the past few weeks, and had even gone so far as to scope out the best place to sneak off too. The library, in the end, seemed the best fit. She pulled Killian in the room with her, thrilled that it was empty and then locked the door behind her.

“Come here, Emma.”

Emma turned around against the door and saw where Killian was waiting by the large wooden desk in the middle of the room. His commanding tone made her skin sizzle with pleasure and she couldn’t hold back the arousal gathering between her legs. She stepped towards him slowly, before situating herself in front of him, leaning back against the strong contours of the furniture.

“We’ll have to be fast. No getting caught,” she whispered as she ran a hand against his chest. At some point during the night, he’d lost his jacket, and God did she want to rip this shirt off of him, but that could wait for later, when they were home and away from prying eyes.

“I love a challenge, Swan. But by that mentality, we’ll also need to be quiet.” He nipped at her bottom lip, and her eyes got wider, her breath came out in shallow pants. “Think you can handle it?”

Emma could only nod, and then he had her sitting on the edge of the desk as he pushed up the hem of her dress. She busied herself with unbuttoning his pants, and trying to free him from their confines.

“Fuck, Emma, this is barely anything.” She knew he was talking about the thong she’d chosen for today, anticipating a moment like this. He pulled the scrap of lace off of her and she watched as he put them in his pocket. “So as not to forget them later.”

“Right, sure.” She mocked him slightly with her tone, because if she’d learned anything about Killian over the past few months, it was that he could be and often was really dirty. He did things that should have made her gasp, but instead just made her horny, because after this, for the rest of the night she’d think about how he had the scrap of lace in his pocket and how she had nothing on at all.

As his thumb came to swirl around her clit, the sarcasm she’d been channeling was nowhere to be found. He swiftly managed to free his cock and line it up with her entrance, pushing in and leaving her filled so suddenly that she wanted to moan, only she couldn’t. They’d made their rules, now they had to stick to them. To keep from crying out his name, she pulled him down for a kiss, and as he fucked her with his cock, he took her with his tongue and the dual sensations had her arching for closeness, and desperate for release. When she was just at the precipice, he pulled back from the kiss.

“Let go, love.”

She did just that as his thumb came to graze her clit once more, and Killian followed close behind. Emma was humming with satisfaction in the aftermath, though the reality was she wanted to go again. Despite how good it had been, she was still left wanting. Now thoughts and images of them later, with him peeling off her dress and kissing his way down her body in a slow deliberate perusal had her getting worked up all over again.

“I can give you one more hour here, love, but come that time we’re wishing them well and getting the hell out of dodge.” Emma laughed as she cleaned herself up and sorted her dress out.  

“Sounds only fair.” She kissed him again and felt a rumble of laughter in his chest. “What?”

“Well love, I’m just wondering if they deign to play the Macarena if we’ll get a repeat performance of this.”

“You may be the only person on the planet hoping to hear that song.” Killian agreed with her statement, but took her hand in his and kissed it gently and with that they rejoined the rest of the party. And thirty minutes later, when the Macarena did in fact steam through the speakers, they snuck off once more.  It was easily the best slutty wedding sex either had ever had.

Post-Note: Needed a bit of wedding smuff for my CS babies this week. Just had to happen, and I think it sets the stage well for next weeks installment where there will be a proposal. That chapter will be longer, too so no worries. As always, thanks for reading and hope you guys enjoyed!